Lakers are at an all time high | Lakers vs Nuggets | OSB
Lakers vs. Nuggets odds, prediction, and betting tips for NBA Playoff Props
The will Los Angeles Lakers travel to the Ball Arena to face the Denver Nuggets in game 1 of the Western Conference Finals (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). This series is a repeat of the 2020 Western Conference Finals, when both of these teams were competing against each other in the bubble. Los Angeles will look to repeat how that series went as the they won that series 4-1. The Lakers are looking dominant as they eliminated the defending champions in the Golden State Warriors last round. Now, they have a tough matchup against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Los Angeles needs to focus on stealing one of these two games on the road. Denver has been basically unbeatable at home this season and in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are looking for revenge against the Lakers. No team has looked more dominant in the postseason than the Nuggets. They easily cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns in their first two rounds. Now they are one series win away from reaching the NBA Finals. Jokic has been a tear all postseason. Look for him to come out strong in this game at home.
Los Angeles Lakers Basketball
The Lakers are at an all time high right now after eliminating the defending champion Golden State Warriors from the playoffs. It is crazy to think how Los Angeles was fighting for their lives in the Play-In games and now they are one series win away from the NBA Finals. To beat the Nuggets they will need their supporting cast to step up. When I say supporting cast I mean De’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Lonnie Walker IV. The Lakers are looking to start this series off with a bang and steal game 1 from the Nuggets on the road. It will be tough though as the Nuggets are great home.
The Lakers have a bunch of talent on their team that have been getting it done in the playoffs. Los Angeles has been led by LeBron James this postseason. He is averaging 23.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Also, Anthony Davis has been great this season, averaging 21.2 points and 14.1 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell has been a great addition for the Lakers as he is averaging 15.7 points and 5.0 assists a game this season.
In their win against the Warriors in game 6, they got contribution from everyone. James led the way having a monster game finishing with 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Davis owned the paint finishing with 17 points and 20 rebounds. Russell struggled shooting the ball, but still put up 19 points. Austin Reaves had an exceptional game scoring 23 points. Lonnie Walker IV off the bench did his thing finishing with 13 points. It was just all Lakers in the game as they had control from start to finish. In the win, the Lakers shot 52.0% from the floor and 50.0% from the three-point line.
Denver Nuggets Basketball
The Nuggets have been dominant all season including the postseason. They have dominated every team they have played in the playoffs. They took care of the Phoenix Suns in six games after everyone thought the Suns would go far in the playoffs this season. This will not be a cake walk for the Nuggets though as the Lakers a good team that have gotten things going at the right time.
The Nuggets have been led by Nikola Jokic, who leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Jokic is averaging 30.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.7 assists a game this postseason. Jamal Murray has helped out Jokic this postseason offensively averaging 25.9 points and 6.5 assists a game. Michael Porter Jr. has been solid this postseason averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Finally, Aaron Gordon has stepped up this postseason averaging 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. This is a scary team with lots of contributors on the glass and on offense.
In their win against the Suns in game 6, Jokic did his thing absolutely as he did whatever he wanted to finishing with a triple-double. He finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. Murray also had a fantastic game finishing with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. He come alive in the playoffs and is looking like how he was in the 2020 playoffs. Kentavious Calwell-Pope came alive in game 6 and was a huge help to Jokic and Murray. He finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Denver needs Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. to have a great series against the Lakers if they want to win. In the win, the Nuggets shot 53.7% from the floor and 36.4% from the three-point line.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Betting Odds
Betting odds courtesy of Caesars
- Spread: Denver Nuggets -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 222.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers (+175), Denver Nuggets (-210)
Lakers vs. Nuggets Betting Trends
– Los Angeles is 21-25-1 ATS on the road this season.
– Denver is 30-16-1 ATS at home this season.
– Los Angeles is 33-31-1 ATS in conference games this season.
– Denver is 36-26-1 ATS in conference games this season.
– The Lakers are 24-26-1 ATS following a win this season.
– The Nuggets are 32-27-1 ATS following a win this season.
– The Lakers are 8-4 ATS in the playoffs this season.
– The Nuggets are 7-4 ATS in the playoffs this season.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Prediction
I love this prop for game 1 in this series. I think the Nuggets handle the Lakers easily in this game to start the series off. Nikola Jokic continues his play and dominates the Lakers in this one. He will have the help of the home crowd behind him in this one. Denver is just too good at home and Jokic has been insane lately I think he scores 30+ in this game to kick the series off.
Lakers vs. Nuggets Prop Pick: Nikola Jokic Over 28.5 points (-108).
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